the sun what is the fate of our sun and other stars?
TRANSCRIPT
The Sun
What is the fate of our sun and other stars?
The Sun’s Properties
• 99% of all mass in the solar system• 330,000 times more massive than Earth• Interior Temperature: 10,000,000K• Inner layer: mostly plasma
The Sun’s Atmosphere
• Photosphere– Visible surface of the
sun– 400km thick– Average temp:
5800K– Lowest layer, but
most light
The Sun’s Atmosphere
• Chromosphere– Outside of
photosphere– 2500km thick– 30,000K– Visible during solar
eclipse
The Sun’s Atmosphere
• Corona– Outermost
layer of sun– Low Density– Dim, only
seen in eclipse
– Temp: 1million K – 2million K
Solar Wind
• The corona does not have a true edge
• Gas flows out of the corona at high speeds
• Forms the Solar Wind• Reaches speeds of
400km/s• Causes Auroras
Solar Activity
• Sunspots– Dark spots on surface of
photosphere– Appear darker because
they are cooler– Magnetic Field pokes
through– Hot gases can’t rise
Solar Activity
• Cycles every 22.4 years
• Maximum sunspots every 11.2 years
• Magnetic field reverses
Other Solar Features
• Coronal Holes– Low density– Solar Wind Escapes
• Solar Flares– Eruptions of particles
and radiation
• Prominence– Arc of gas ejected
from chromosphere
Solar Energy
• The sun produces energy largely from Fusion– Fusion – combination of hydrogen atoms to make
helium
• Energy is produced in core of sun• Energy near the core is transported through a
radiation zone (86%)• Near the surface energy is transported
through convection currents